Automatic fire-extinguisher.



A. LA BRBCHE. AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHBR. APPLICATION FILED JAN.3,'1913.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

Inventor Attorneys COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALPHONSE LA BRECI-IE, 0F JEFFERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA.

AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALrI-IoNsE LA BREOHE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jefferson, in the county of Union and State of South Dakota, have invented a new and useful Automatic Fire Extinguisher, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to fire extinguishers, and aims to provide an automatic device of the character indicated, and one which has a repeated or intermittent action.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a fire extinguisher embodying a series of charges of a powdered fire extinguishing chemical or agent, and means for expelling or ejecting the successive charges so as to produce a repeated or intermittent action, as is desirable.

It is also the object of the present invention to combine with a suitable receptacle and cover therefor, alternate layers or stratas of an explosive and of a powdered fire extinguishing agent disposed in the receptacle, in connection with a fuse connecting the layers of the explosive, so that when the fuse is ignited, the same will successively ignite the layers or charges of the explosive, thereby first liberating or throwing off the cover,

and then successively ejecting the various layers or charges of the fire extinguishing agent.

It is also the object of the present invention to provide a device of the character indicated, which shall be comparatively simple, compact, and inexpensive in construction, which shall be etficient, serviceable and convenient in its use, and which may be temporarily supported on a wall, or the like, or which may be manipulated by the hand so as to direct the ejected charges of the fire extinguishing agent.

With the foregoing general objects outlined, and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference charac- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 3, 1913.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

Serial No. 740,058.

ters have been employed to denote corresponding parts, and wherein Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of the device. Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken on the line 2-2 and 33 of Fig. 1.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the present invention embodies a receptacle, container or barrel 4, which may be of any suitable dimensions and which is illustrated as being tubular in form. This barrel or receptacle 4 has one end closed, and its other end is open, a cover or plug 5 fitting in the open end of the barrel. The cover may be of any suitable construction, the same being shown as having its central portion struck inwardly so as to fit within the end of the barrel and so as to provide a flange seatable against the end of the barrel. The cover is also provided with a suitable handle or hand hold.

Within the barrel 4 is loosely disposed the alternate layers or stratas 6 and 7 respectively of an explosive and of a powdered fire extinguishing chemical or agent of any suitable character. The explosive may be such as black gunpowder, or the like, which possesses a suflicient expansive power, and the fire extinguishing agent or chemical may be of any particular character, suitable for the purpose. The upper or outer charge of powder or explosive is disposed adjacent the cover, whereas the inner or lower charge is disposed against the closed end of the barrel. The proportions of the charges of explosive and fire extinguishing agent are regulated according to the circumstances, the charges of the explosive being graduated or increased in quantity from the upper charge or layer to the lower charge or layer so as to eject the succeeding charges of the extinguishing agent with increased velocity and so as to properly distribute or spread the same, and the charges of the fire extinguishing agent are such as to efiectively extinguish or reduce the conflagration with which it conflicts.

The various layers, stratas, or charges of the explosive and fire extinguishing agent are preferably separated by the wads or disks 8, so as to retain the same in separated positions, and in order that the barrel may be properly packed. The wads also assist in the proper expulsion or ejection of the fire extinguishing agent as will be apparent.

The various layers or charges of the explosive are connected by a fuse 9, this fuse extending longitudinally within the barrel 4t alongside and passing through an opening provided in the cover 5. This fuse may be of any suitable or ordinary construction, the same being illustrated as embodying a sheath or casing 10 containing the fuse powder or burning agent 11. The sheath or casing 10 of the fuse is preferably provided with an aperture or opening 12 within each layer of the explosive, so as to assure of the ignition of the explosive charges. The outer or free end of the fuse is also preferably provided with means whereby the fuse may be readily ignited by adjoining confiagration or by excessive heat. The wads or disks 8 are provided with notches in their edges receiving the fuse 9, the wads fitting snugly within the barrel 4 so as not to leave any passage through which the explosive might blow out when ignited.

In use, it will be evident that when the heat rises to an abnormal or excessive degree, or when the fire reaches the fire extinguisher, the outer end of the fuse will be ignited. The fuse will then burn to the first charge of explosive directly behind the cover 5, and as a result, this charge will be set ofi so as to throw off or eject the cover, thereby opening the barrel. The fuse will continue to burn to the second or next succeeding charge, which in being ignited will cause the first or outer charge of the fire extinguishing agent to be ejected or forcibly thrown off. The fire extinguishing agentor chemical will be thus discharged and distributed or spread so as to cover a considerable area, and will also be propelled or thrown for a considerable distance, so as to most effectively extinguish the conflagration with which it comes into contact. The fuse continues to burn, setting off the successive charges of the explosive, so that respective charges of the fire extinguishing agent will be intermittent-1y ejected. In

Copies of this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Qommissioner of Patents.

this manner, an intermittent or repeated fire extinguishing action is accomplished, so as to most effectively check or arrest the conflagration.

The barrel 4 may be secured to a wall or other support in any convenient manner, so as to direct the open end thereof as desired, or if desired, the barrel may be only temporarily supported, so that it can be taken down by the proper person or attendant,

who may then manipulate the same to most A fire extinguisher embodying a barrel, I

having its upper end open, alternate layers of an explosive and of a powdered fire extinguishing agent packed in the barrel, wads separating the various layers, and fitting snugly within the barrel, a cover fitting in the upper end of the barrel, and a fuse extend- I ing longitudinally within the barrel along one side thereof, the wads being notched to receive the fuse and the fuse passing through the cover, one layer of the explosive being arranged adjoining the cover and thelayers of the explosive being increased in quantity from the upper to the lower one.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALPHONSE LA BREOHE,

WVitnesses:

VICTOR OAUTIN, G. O. ALLARD,

Washington, D. C. 

